Bailey was now a master of ground poles. The next step was something I had been dreaming about from the moment I knew she would be mine.
Jumping.
My trainer and I set up a lesson at the end of August. I warmed up Bailey just as I had done so many times before and worked on flat work for the beginning of the ride. Then my trainer set up a small box, Bailey’s first solid obstacle.
Some horses become insecure about where to put their feet when they see their first real fence. It was imperative that I remain confident and encourage Bailey to keep moving forward. As we trotted to the base of the green boxes, my heart raced as Bailey found her wings.
She soared.
Bailey jumping a solid obstacle in August 2017.
Bailey tossed her head in amusement just as she had done when she encountered ground rails, and I was thrilled. I knew in that moment that Bailey enjoyed jumping as much as I did.
Ashley and I decided that one jump was enough for the day and I cooled Bailey down. It was a single obstacle, a course of fences consists of 8 or more, but it was still a major milestone for a young horse.
An Equestrian Confession. 